The Influence of Thermally Sprayed Coatings Microstructure on their Mechanical and Tribological Characteristics

Abstract

The tribological properties of parts surface, namely their wear resistance and friction properties, are in many cases determining for their proper function. To improve surface properties, it is possible to create hard, wear resistant coatings by thermal spray technologies. Using these versatile coatings it is possible to increase parts lifetime, reliability and safety. The thermally sprayed cermet composite coatings show, thanks to their specific properties, excellent resistance to abrasive and erosive wear, as well as corrosion resistance. To predict the behavior, lifetime and application area of thermally sprayed cermet coatings it is necessary to completely understand the relationships between technology, process parameters, microstructure and properties of the coatings. The finding of these relationships and use this understanding to develop deposits with improved wear resistance for coating of various applications is the main aim of the presented work. It was done by studying the coatings microstructure and mechanical properties. Four different tests of wear resistance were done to study the mechanism of surface degradation, to confirm the results of mechanical testing and to predict the lifetime of coated parts - the abrasive wear performance of the coatings was assessed using a dry/sand rubber wheel test according to ASTM G-65, wet slurry abrasion test according to ASTM G-75, pin-on-disc test according to ASTM G-99 and erosion wear resistance for three impact angles. On the basis of obtained data the new possibilities of coatings application was determined, tested and implemented.